“You get to see what is new,” said Earl McLeod, executive director BIA of Central South Carolina.

The display homes are distributed throughout Midlands neighborhoods and are listed at a variety of prices. They have been constructed by 13 of the area’s leading building companies and developers.

The featured communities on the Tour of Homes are Flow in West Columbia, Shoals Landing in Irmo, Lexington’s Saluda River Club and Sterling Ponds in Blythewood.

The homes are designed to show off the trends and evolving features demanded by homebuyers. One trend, McLeod said, is homes that are more functional and accessible to people who are aging or who may have disabilities.

“We are beginning to see more homes that are fully accessible, and we refer to that as universal living,” he said. “In fact, Home No. 1 on the tour, which is known as our showcase home, is a certified universal living home, which means it is designed for those that are aging — which we all are.”

Another trend the homes on the tour is showing off is the wireless capability and technology younger buyers want.

“They’re certainly more in tune to the technology features that are part of new homes now, in terms of security systems and access to the internet throughout the home, and music throughout the home,” McLeod said.

Potential buyers can purchase plans to have their own custom home built to specifications.